SQL Azure

Part of the Windows Azure platform, SQL Azure provides a cloud-based relational database service (called SQL Azure Database) hosted in Microsoft’s data centers. SQL Azure Database offers many of the features of the on-premises SQL Server database management system, including support for the T-SQL query language, which will help organizations leverage existing developer skills when migrating on-premises applications to the cloud or creating hybrid applications that are deployed in both places. SQL Azure receives frequent small updates, which generally have enhanced compatibility between SQL Azure and the on-premises software.

Compatibility will probably continue to be important, especially as Windows Azure gains features such as virtual machine hosting that make it easier for organizations to move existing applications to Microsoft’s cloud. In addition, potential future features of SQL Azure are made available through technical previews at a dedicated SQL Azure Labs Web site. Technologies currently available through the site include an OData Service, Data Sync (which synchronizes SQL Azure databases across Azure data centers), and a database import and export tool (which lets customers move databases between on-premises and Azure deployments).